System and method for wireless gaming with location determination

Abstract

In accordance with the teachings of the present embodiment, a system and method for wireless gaming with location-dependent gaming functions are provided. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a gaming server; a wireless network at least partially covering a property, the wireless network comprising a plurality of signal detection devices; and a gaming communication device operable to transmit and receive gaming information to and from the gaming server via the wireless network. A location of the gaming communication device on the property is used to alter a game play function, such as a bet option, wager, graphic overlay, permission, or to provide location-dependent advertising or embedded advertising. Based upon the location of the gaming communication device on the property, a predetermined functionality of the gaming communication device may be enabled and/or controlled.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wireless gaming apparatus, comprising:
 a wireless network interface operable to transmit and receive gaming information from a gaming system concerning a game, in which a plurality of different locations correspond to a respective plurality of different parameters of the game, wherein the received gaming information is associated with a location of the wireless gaming apparatus determined at least in part on signals communicated between the wireless gaming apparatus and a plurality of signal detection/transmission devices of the gaming system; and   at least one processor configured to:   alter a user interface for interacting with a user to implement the game using the gaming information, and alter odds that determine an outcome of the game based on the determined location.   
     
     
         2 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the determined location of the wireless gaming apparatus is a particular zone of a casino. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the determined location is based in part on reference signal strength associated with the particular zone of the casino. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the determined location is based at least in part on a time-of-flight calculation on the communicated signals. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the determined location is based at least in part on received signal strength of the communicated signals. 
     
     
         6 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the determined location is based at least in part on the received signal strength of the communicated signals received by the signal detection/transmission devices. 
     
     
         7 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the determined location is based on a combination of a time-of-flight calculation and received signal strength of communicated signals. 
     
     
         8 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the determined location is based at least in part on an elapsed time of one of the communicated signals transmitted by the wireless gaming apparatus and received by one of the signal detection/transmission devices. 
     
     
         9 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the elapsed time is determined based on a Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) technology. 
     
     
         10 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of a plurality of sub-zones of a casino within which the wireless gaming apparatus is located is associated with a reference set of elapsed times from transmission to receipt of signals communicated between the plurality of detection/transmission devices and a reference wireless gaming apparatus, and the determined location being determined at least in part on a comparison of one of the reference set of elapsed times with a time from transmission to receipt of one of the communicated signals transmitted by the wireless gaming apparatus and received by one of the signal detection/transmission devices. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless network interface is configured to communicate in an unlicensed radio frequency band, communicate in a licensed radio frequency band, or communicate using an IEEE-802.11x compatible protocol. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless gaming apparatus comprises one of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, and a laptop computer. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a biometric user identification system. 
     
     
         14 . The wireless gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to alter a value function for an outcome of the game based on the determined location. 
     
     
         15 . A wireless gaming system, comprising:
 a gaming server;   a plurality of signal detection devices configured to detect signals transmitted from a wireless gaming apparatus for determining a location of the wireless gaming apparatus based on the detected signals;   wherein the gaming server includes at least one processor configured to:   transmit and receive gaming information concerning a game, through a wireless network interface, to and from the wireless gaming apparatus, in which a plurality of different locations correspond to a respective plurality of different parameters of the game, wherein the gaming information is associated with a location of the wireless gaming apparatus determined at least in part on the signals detected by the signal detection devices; and   set odds that determine an outcome of the game based on the determined location.   
     
     
         16 . The wireless gaming system of  claim 15 , wherein the determined location of the wireless gaming apparatus is a particular zone of a casino. 
     
     
         17 . The wireless gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein the determined location is based in part on reference signal strength associated with the particular zone of the casino. 
     
     
         18 . The wireless gaming system of  claim 15 , wherein the determined location is based at least in part on a time-of-flight calculation on the transmitted signals. 
     
     
         19 . The wireless gaming system of  claim 15 , wherein the determined location is based at least in part on received signal strength of the transmitted signals. 
     
     
         20 . The wireless gaming system of  claim 15 , wherein the determined location is based on a combination of a time-of-flight calculation and received signal strength of transmitted signals.